Looking at life through the prism of a college student offers Allen Community College students this week a chance to “Deal With It.”
That’s the name given to the newest ACC Theatre Department production, an eclectic series of scenes with no script, plot or scenery (aside from a couch and stools.)
“Deal With It,” which runs tonight through Saturday at 7:30 at the ACC Theatre, consists of a group of college kids sharing stories through a collection of monologues, that may change from night to night.
The “devised theatre” piece — essentially controlled improvisation — is separated into segments, such as “Who I Am Or, Who Am I,” others on family, relationships and friendships, and at one point a massive group therapy session.
The students aren’t necessarily talking about themselves, but the offering gives a refreshing, occasionally silly, perspective on how they cope with stress.
That the ensemble cast can sparkle without a script proves the reservoir of acting talent continues to run deep in the halls at Allen.
In no particular order Chloe Bedell, Ashley Holloran, Aaron Huskey, Ria Koch, Angelique Kyles, Ian Malcom, Angel Spencer, Tori Whalen and Judd Wiltse take turns at center stage, offering non-sequiturs aplenty, some thought-provoking and profound, some humorous.
Koch draws chuckles in a group therapy scene as the obnoxious — but not always incorrect — therapist who bluntly dismisses her fellow cast members as they rant about life.
Wiltse, meanwhile, wonders aloud about “The Fast and The Furious” film sequels, and how it’d be impossible to sort them in order based solely on their titles.
Malcom and Holloran share a memorable scene about a young couple planning to marry, but are struggling with adapting to each other’s religion. (Malcolm considers Shrek a God.)
Still another starts with Holloran and and Whalen ranting about men before the entire cast joins in on a spirited debate over whether men or women should be responsible for setting down a toilet seat.
Others are more serious.
Bedell draws an audible gasp from her fellow cast members as an all-too-honest mother in a scene about parenting and abortion.
Huskey and Wiltse share a memorable scene in which Huskey tells his son (Wiltse) that he soon will divorce his mother, only to be taken aback because Wiltse’s only surprise was that it took so long.
Kyles captures well the disgust a woman experiences as she realizes her boyfriend may only be interested in a physical relationship.
A HEARTY round of applause should go to Callaway Patterson and Kate Huskey for their musical accompaniment, either via acoustic guitar or keyboard.
The music serves as a perfect interlude as the production changes topics and scenes — none lasts more than a few minutes — quickly and seamlessly.
Helping mold the entire production into a pleasing, fast-paced, hour-long show is director Tony Piazza.
And while the dialogue in some scenes almost certainly will change from night to night — the beauty of a scriptless production — the students conclude their presentation by reminding the audience to “Deal With it.”
Regardless of what they’re dealing, the audience will want to sit in on another hand.
Tickets sell for $6 apiece for adults, $4 for children. Allen students are admitted free of charge. Tickets are sold at the door, or in advance at Iola Pharmacy.
